RJ Mitte's Death at 34 Reveals What Hollywood Told Him Behind Closed Doors

RJ Mitte, the actor who played Flynn White on“Breaking Bad,”died by suicide Monday at 34. His death has opened up a painful conversation about what he faced behind the scenes. Texts obtained by the Daily Mail show casting directors told him roles weren’t written for disabled characters, despite the fact that he was literally on one of the most-watched shows in TV history.

Mitte had cerebral palsy and spent his career fighting for authentic representation. He was a Screen Actors Guild spokesperson for actors with disabilities, served as president of the Mitte Foundation, and kept auditioning right up until his final months. His last interview on October 5 was full of optimism. Just days before his death, he told Page Six he was“cautiously optimistic”about a possible“Breaking Bad”spinoff from Vince Gilligan.

His story is a reminder that success on screen doesn’t always match the support someone needs off screen. If you’re struggling with your mental health, call or text 988. You don’t have to go through it alone. What role did RJ Mitte’s work play in your life? Tell us in the comments.